Eugene P Harris
MilitaryConnections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Patty Anne II
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Winona, Mississippi, USA | ||
Other Missing In Action (MIA) |
Germany | 1 December 1943 | Eyewitness description as given by T/Sgt Orville R. Click, radio operator of A/C 42-3140: "The Pilot, Lt. Harris was forced to ditch due to lack of gasoline. Nobody was injured due to the ditching and all the crew managed to get into dinghies. The plane sank in two minute at approximately 1400, 5 miles off Dunkerque, France. The ten men were divided into four dinghies. Due to rough seas and a strong wind the small dinghy carrying Tigue, O'Donoghue and Mellott drifted away from the others and to the best of anyone's knowledge they are still missing. While drifting around, Miles died from exposure and Harris became delirious. When a strong wave upset their dinghy, the bodies of Miles and Harris were seen to submerge. While continuing to drift in the Channel, McLain and Briscoe died from shoc and exposure. Their bodies and the three remaining live men, Lucyk, Click and Smith were all picked up by the Air Sea Rescue Service." |